Make Summer 2019 Unforgettable with These Family Vacation Destinations

Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation

With warm weather stoking your wanderlust and free time abounding, summer is the perfect time to take a family vacation. But you don’t want to take just any vacation — you want this to be the ultimate trip, which you’ll recall with pleasure for years to come.

We’ll take you through some of the best family summer vacation ideas. These destinations offer a bit of everything and appeal to a wide range of ages so mom and dad don’t have to sacrifice their enjoyment for the kids to have a great time.

You’ll come away from the trip feeling closer as a family and more worldly as individuals. So which of these places will your traipse off to this summer?

Interlaken, Switzerland

Switzerland is stunning year-round, but is especially pleasant in the summer for family travelers. The weather is mild but the snow-capped mountains make for exciting day trips.

Interlaken is a picturesque town in a valley between two lakes in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region. From here, you can easily access the Jungfrau region (Latterbrunnen remains a favorite), as well as many other parts of Switzerland via the country’s highly efficient and fast train system.

The town is walkable, mostly stroller-friendly, and offers tons of activities for the adventurous and active types, as well as the more laid-back travelers who just wish to relax and enjoy the unparalleled scenery.

With numerous water parks and other attractions, a trip to the Wisconsin Dells is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family.Photo Credit: Getty Images

Wisconsin Dells

This list of summer family vacations would certainly be missing something if we left off the “Water Park Capital of the World.” While some of the attractions can tend toward kitschy, there are countless things to do in the Dells for family travelers.

The water parks are some of the best around and both indoor and outdoor options abound. You and your kids will enjoy spending your days enjoying the world-class water slides, rides, wave pools and lazy rivers, but that’s not all the Dells have to offer.

There’s also a big upside down White House, the delightful Country Bumpkin Farm, mini golfing, duck boat tours, and a charming river-walk that is the perfect place to stroll in the evenings and enjoy some window shopping.

Hawaii's warm, shallow and calm water is perfect for a family beach vacation.Photo Credit: Getty Images

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hawaii is a bucket list topper for many and makes for one of the best summer family vacations. Adults and kids of all ages will enjoy paddling around the warm, shallow and mostly calm water. These qualities also make it a great place to try your hand at surfing for the first time.

While you’re there, make sure to bring a bit of history education into your trip by visiting the Pearl Harbor sites such as the USS Arizona Memorial.

For Disney-loving kids, booking a couple of nights at the Aulani Resort will make for an especially memorable stay. As a bonus for mom and dad, the resort is one of the classier and more grown-up Disney resorts with just the right amount of Disney thrown in.

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Check your airline's prices for additional and overweight baggage. It is sometimes cheaper to take an extra bag than pay overage fees if your luggage is too heavy.

- Sarah R., Canada

Don’t eat in tourist areas or places that have a waiter outside to bring people in. Eat where the locals eat.

- Zainab L., United Kingdom

Never bring new shoes! Bring two pairs of shoes to allow you to rotate and avoid any discomfort to your feet.

- Mona W., Belize

Do your research; learn about where you’re going from those who have been there. You’ll learn lots more along the way.

- Laura S., United States

When you land in Geneva make sure to pick up your free transport ticket in the luggage collection area, from the machine. It gives you 80 minutes worth of travel from arrival, until you get to your hotel or accommodation.

- SOS Travel, United Kingdom

Always bring a reusable water bottle for each person. There's nothing worse than being on a hike or walking through a new city and finding yourself without water. If you're in a city most restaurants will refill your bottle free of charge!

- Natasha, Canada

Don’t be too rushed when you are traveling, especially with kids. Taking it slow helps you to experience everything going on around you and cuts down on the stress that comes from rushing from place to place. Don’t worry about missing out. Live in the moment and soak it all in.

- Melanie, Thailand

Nothing ruins a vacation like being unable to charge your electronic devices. So make sure to carry a power-cord organizer with you! Cocoon Innovations’ GRID-IT! pouches can accommodate any sort of cord or charger, making them a convenient choice, and they’re remarkably slim.

- Loren, United States

When traveling, don’t forget to take the road less traveled once in awhile. Travel should get you outside your comfort zone so you can learn new things about yourself and who you truly are. Don’t be afraid to take some risks (within reason) and leave room for spontaneity.

- Liana, United States

My boyfriend Lee and I are big fans of overnight buses and trains because you can save the cost of accommodation and you won't waste one of your precious travel days getting somewhere. Just be sure to bring earplugs, an eye mask and a sarong to use as a blanket or pillow!

- Kelly, United Kingdom

Always check the seat pocket to be sure you don’t leave any important items on the plane. I once forgot my passport in the seat pocket, which I needed to get home. Thankfully, I was able to retrieve it. Lesson learned!